We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

The European Union is one of the noblest political experiments in human history, but its future looks increasingly precarious.

WTH? A noble empire, I guess? They have created a structure which is so elitist, so condescending, so remote, so clueless, and so all-powerful that I don't know why anybody would up with it put. Time for rebellion before the EU gets its own army. They should take lessons from what happened in the USA to the member states - crushed by the feds.

Because it doesn't have to work in competitive industries, the clerisy favors regulations, land-use rules and environmental restrictions that make things worse for businesses — especially the small "yeoman" businesses that traditionally sustained much of the middle class — thus further hollowing out the middle of the income distribution. But the lower classes, sustained by government handouts and by rhetoric from the clerisy, provide enough votes to keep the machine running, at least for a while.

Not all Muslims are terrorists but substantially all terrorists are Muslims and until people are permitted to say that without the hypocrisy and irony of being labeled dangerous themselves, we will not be safe.

The world has changed since the creation of the UN. It is time for the UN headquarters to move closer to the center of nations instead of only being near two. Some place like Mogadishu would probably work. And think of the wealth they could spread just by being there.

The fundamental problem with the United Nations is that it is not a parliament of the world's people, but an organization of the worlds governments. Were the primary interest of all of the worlds governments the rights and welfare of their citizens, this would not be much of an issue. Then again, were that the case, there would be little need for such an organization.

But as we have it, the primary interest of a majority of the worlds governments is to maintain and extend their power over their citizenry, at the expense of respect for fundamental human rights and democratic principles, the current situation of effective gridlock and impotence is something of a best-case scenario. Worst case would be an organization where international troops could be called upon to put down a revolt against a dictatorial government in the interest of fostering international peace and stability.

You contradict yourself! "In Europe, they don't do male circumcision except for Jews. Muslims circumcise both male and female." How can both statements be true when the Muslims are now the largest minority in Europe?

Here's the conclusion of a survey of over 1,000 sources. See http://www.circinfo.net/ for much additional information.

"Circumcision – CONCLUSION

"Circumcision confers a lifetime of medical, health and sexual benefits. At least 1 in 3 uncircumcised males will, over their lifetime, develop a condition requiring medical attention. This means various degrees of suffering and some deaths. In contrast, circumcision can prevent or greatly reduce the risk of most of these medical conditions. The surgical risk of a circumcision in a modern setting is extremely low, while the long-term functional and cosmetic outcomes are generally excellent. Circumcision of the male partner also confers substantial sexual and medical benefits to a woman, by reducing her risk of disease, suffering, medical treatment and premature death."

I have a good friend with two boys, both of whom were uncut as infants. They both ended up requiring circumcision at around 7 years of age as a medical necessity, as their prepuces didn't develop properly along with the rest of them. It was much more challenging for them to suffer through the procedure as boys than it would have been as infants. I doubt they'll feel too bitter about having it done as they get older, though. While their circumstances were rare, I do wonder what the frequency would be if circumcision were less common in the US.

I contend that food stamps are by intent designed to allow the users to be able to afford to buy cigarettes, booze and drugs. I can feed myself for what it costs the average smoker to feed his habit. I can feed my family for what it costs a drinking smoker to feed his habits. I can buy a car for what it costs a drug user to feed his drug habit. IMHO food stamp are the most misused government program and that is a really high hurdle to beat. Almost all government programs are loaded with fraud, waste and corruption.
My niece, who is unmarried, is pregnant and trying to get state/federal health care to see a doctor. To her credit she works two low paying jobs but because of her effort she doesn't qualify for the tax funded insurance. I might add that in my state about 200,000 illegal aliens DO qualify for the "free" health care. Her social worker told her to earn less or quit to qualify. Now what is wrong with that picture? Essentially that is what all welfare is today; it is taxpayer funded freeloading for anyone able to game the system.

oh boy! If you ever thought there was hope for the EU take a look at the new commissioners: France/England in charge of finance and banking. Italy in charge of international relations, etc.,Czech in charge of Justice, Croatia in charge of International Development (hell yes, of course!) The list goes on and is a very good laugh. I'll bet even BD will spit out a mouthful of his DD Coffee! Read it--laugh out loud--weep.

" The European Union is one of the noblest political experiments in human history, ..." Doomed from the beginning to go horribly bad, being elitist, not trusting the people. Leftist liberalism running wild.

My nipples never suffered through nursing 3 - and I nursed all of them well into their first year... sorry if this is TMI

and I was never housebound during summer (all of mine were born late spring).. twice daily I walked to the barn with stroller, heat-checked cows, fed calves/chickens/turkeys/pigs every day with baby in tow- weather appropriate dress, of course. THey also had time in the milking parlor with me, when my sitter wasn't able.( The vacuum pump is conducive to napping, I guess).

And my kids were never sick and still -though we've left dairy farming a decade ago, are still almost never sick. Must have eaten enough dirt.

There is a significant difference between male and female "circumcision". While the historic reasons for circumcision in the Judea-christian-moslem might be up for debate, there is no significant, lasting medical issues from the practice, and as indicated there can be some benefits. The biggest problem it might have is that it somewhat reduces the males sensation during intercourse.

Because you know men need more sensation during intercourse or they'll lose interest and learn to crochet instead.

There are no known benefits to female circumcision, it's primary reason is to reduce or eliminate sexual pleasure. Which is a shame really.

You do know there is a tremendous difference between male and female circumcision?

Female circumcision varies from removal of the clitoral hood and part of the clitoris to removal of the clitoris and inner labia to removal of the clitoris, inner and outer labia and closing up the vulva. It depends on which benighted ethnic group you were born into.

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